70seven

That’s fair, I just disagree. Sutter mostly played with Eriksson and Granlund last season. Though they were deployed primarily as a matchup line, they were brutal offensively... which is not 100% on Sutter, but it has something to do with it imo. All im saying is that I’d rather see Pettersson play and dominate the AHL with Hughes* Dahlen, Lind, Juolevi, Gaudette, Demko, Gadjovic, Palmu, Jasek, etc... rather than flank Brandon Sutter... just seems like great opportunity for him to build chemistry with his future teammates and also be deployed as a center in a top 6 role... at least for a few weeks. Let him get warmed up and confident at the A level, and if he’s too good for that league, then you promote him, and Id bet he’s better prepared to faster translate his game at center to the NHL. There’s zero reason to rush his development. The Canucks look dreadful on paper with or without him. Give Virtanen, Goldobin, Granlund, Gaudette, and Leipsic opportunities in the top 6 right off the bat if you’re going to play Sutter there. There still might be a nice surprise or two within that group. IMO You build a champion team in the AHL first. It’s what Detroit became known for, what TB just did, and what TOR is doing. I’d rather Pettersson be a part of that, than getting his ars kicked more often than not. (That’s not a shot at the Canucks, it’s a nod to the rest of the league. Man there’s a lot of good teams!) You might aswell do that while while you have an abundance of mediocre veterans and tweener prospects that aren’t waiver exempt and signed to multi year contracts.

Every time I try to draft up this lineup.... I get frustrated. What a stupid collection of mediocre veteran wingers and 4th line centres. We desperately need to find a legitimate top 6 C. Offensive wingers will be stifled by playing with Sutter and Beagle. I want to see a top 6 of: Roussel Pettersson Boeser Baertschi Horvat Virtanen But honestly I have zero clue what to expect this lineup to look like. They say they think EP should start on the wing, which I do agree with, except for the fact that there isn’t any real options in the organization that should fill that role. The only wingers role I want him playing is on the left side with Horvat and Boeser, otherwise just send him down. i don’t see realistic room for Gaudette, Dahlen, Goldobin, Juolevi, Lind, Gadjovic or Demko... and even Pettersson... but perhaps that’s not the worst thing to have these players play big minutes in Utica, and develop chemistry together. The losing roster I do expect to dress: baertschi horvat boeser granlund sutter eriksson roussel beagle virtanen schaller gaunce gagner goldobin Everyone is intent on having Pettersson in this lineup, but if he doesn’t have a skilled center to play with, why not just have him learn the position himself in Utica with Dahlen and co. Imagine Hughes and Juolevi on that team as well! Calder cup would be a legitimate goal, and I would need to subscribe to the AHL!

Gaunce over Leipsic for a team likely praying for goals? Dont know bout that.

Some vids out there, but chatting with a buddy yesterday who’s friends with friends of Pavel Barber (skills coach). Says Virtanen is working extremely hard and seeing significant progress within his edgework and stick skills.... My buddy isn’t a Nucks fan, but says word making the rounds in the hockey community is to expect a breakout season from Virtanen, from those working with him this offseason. Not that it means much, but it’s great to see him working so hard on becoming that top 6 scoring threat, and that word is spreading quickly amongst the inner circles.

Tage Thompson is a legit prospect. Not all players measured solely in production. Berglund adds decent depth. Adding another 1st rounder to their collection of young talent. Better return than what they gave up for ROR imo.

Pretty damn good haul for Buffalo. Still dont think STL has a 1st line C, but adding ROR, Perron, and Bozak... pretty solid day for them.

Is there a pending free agent list somewhere here?

Question: Do players position availability change? I had two forwards that had multi-positions change to one, which could really make things inconvenient for lineup purposes. What is the policy for position changes?

NJ releases Xavier Oulette

I wouldn’t say there’s “nothing to be gained”... college is extremely valuable, especially for gym time and bulking up... but the ahl also offers extended periods off to hit the gym... so I agree that I’d like to see him signed ASAP

Bieksa was my comparison for Woo as well... before it came from Bennings mouth. Both skate well, look for contact opportunities, have some level of offensive game. Both smaller but stalky RHD. Honestly I think it’s a good comparison. Woo looks to have a better defensive awareness, and has far more potential then Bieksa at the same age. Heres hoping we have a defensively sound, physical, quick skating, 30-40 point, top 4 D!

20 years old

Swing for the fences pick. No no harm in that in the 6th round!

Canucks D for 2018 now: Hughes Tanev Edler Stecher MDZ Gudbranson Pouliot Biega Hutton cut. Juolevi cut.

NJ announces; Matt Duchene and Evgenii Dadonov are available. looking for a stud young Dman.

On route for a strong 18/19 campaign: The re-tooled New Jersey Devils! Evgenii Dadonov - Jack Eichel - Nino Neiderrieter Henrik Zetterberg - Jeff Carter - Sam Reinhart Arturri Lehkonen - Matt Duchene - Matt Nieto Loui Eriksson - Dylan Strome - Sven Andrighetto Adam Mascherin Grigori Denisenko Keith Yandle - Jared Spurgeon Cody Ceci - Alex Goligoski Nathan Beaulieu - Noah Juulsen Nick Jensen Libor Sulak Mike Smith Jacob Markstrom Calvin Pickard Alex Nedeljkovic

No points for Pettersson today. 0 +/- Looks like decent ice time tho.

You have to absolutely love how cerebral this kid is. The way he is able to process, learn, and adapt. The easy guess is that he just continues to get better as the tournament moves forward, considering how he’s trended this year. Also so love the confidence he exudes and how he corrects his own words from “Ill try to play my best” to “NO, I’m GOING to play my best and help this team win”! outstanding young man. So hoping that it’s a Swe vs Can final and he puts on a show for the rest of Canada to witness.

Pettersson looked just fine out there today. Why are people freaking out? Lol. Not much chemistry between him, Backlund, and Nyquist. If I were the coach, I’d have Pettersson with Zibenejad and Rackell. Couple dangles for Pettersson. Couple perfect cross ice passes on the PP2 unit. Not much ice time, but nothing alarming whatsoever in his game. Still Needs to get stronger tho.

I think the comparisons to Quick are more along the lines of being that he relies a lot on his athleticism, rather than stylistically. Perhaps comparisons to Tim Thomas or Dominik Hasek are more accurate for actual stylistic analysis. His compete, reaction, and ability to read play levels are extremely high... The type of goalie that can will his team to a victory, and find ways of stopping pucks that goalies that rely solely on positioning and structure don’t. Goalies like this typically play better as the stakes increase, as they become more involved and determined.... also the most frustrating for opposition to scout and play against as you can’t really pick apart will and determination. I think being cut from Team Canada at the WJHC was the best thing that could’ve happened to him. It’s only pushed him. Now to be present with the big boys at the worlds... I’m quite sure he’ll absolutely dominate the OHL next season. I know now there are a LOT of eastern media that are extremely high on him. He’ll likely represent Canada at the WJHCs next year and from there it should be interesting to see how he translates to pro. He really could end up being something very special.

I disagree with that. Juolevi is a cerebral, mobile, puck mover, more than an all situational player. He’s not overly physical or great at defending. He projects far better as a number 3-4D, and would pair nicely with a Boqvist type... but on the 2nd pairing. Where I see the difference of Dobson/Bouchard is they play as a true top pairing, meaning they’re deployed in top defensive and offensive roles. Regardless of what Juolevi was “meant to be”, most scouts have him pegged as a middle pairing player. Think Matt Niskanen.

Agreed. Its like an argument for Krug/Barrie/Gostisbhere vs Pieterangelo/Suter/Carlson Both skill sets are valuable, but when building a core group I’ll take the less productive but minute munching all situational player all day every day. Bouchard/Dobson > Boqvist/Hughes Not that I would complain with a Hughes/Boqvist selection as they generate far more entertainment, and we certainly could use some more of that. They’ll just have to be situationally deployed.

Imo the window to trade Tanev has closed. Why would anyone give up much of anything now? Guy can’t stay healthy for longer than a week. His value just continues to drop league wide. Sure someone could roll the dice, but it’s not likely anyone will give up much until Tanev can put some healthy stretches together. Should have been dealt last draft.

Agreed. I have a strong gut feeling that Dahlen is Vancouver’s top rookie next season.

I think you’ll find many amateur scouts that’ll disagree with you, but time will tell.